Iraq will restore the death penalty after the return of sovereignty later this month
Published:
6 June 2004 y., Sunday
Iraq will restore the death penalty after the return of sovereignty later this month, in a measure which could affect ousted leader Saddam Hussein, Iraqi justice minister Malik Dohan al-Hassan told AFP on Sunday.
"The death penalty is suspended in Iraq but with the return of sovereignty, nothing obliges to maintain this suspension. We want to re-institute it for very specific cases," he said.
The death penalty was suspended in Iraq by then US Central Command chief General Tommy Franks in April 2003, as the US-led coalition invaded the country and toppled Saddam's regime.
"Under Saddam Hussein, there were some 120 crimes punishable by death but we are going to narrow it down to those who, for instance, were responsible for mass graves or plundering the country's oil wealth," the minister said.
When asked specifically about the fate of the jailed Saddam, he said: "Some people ask me if Saddam Hussein can escape a death sentence. For me, his case is very simple. He was the head of the armed forces and he deserted. According to his own laws, his crime is already punishable by death."
Šaltinis:
news24.com
Copying, publishing, announcing any information from the News.lt portal without written permission of News.lt editorial office is prohibited.
The most popular articles
Taxi driver Santiago Gori found a suitcase in the back of his cab stuffed with the equivalent of 35,000 U.S. dollars.
more »
Today 150 citizens from across the EU met top policy-makers in Brussels to hand over their recommendations on how to tackle the economic and social challenges facing Europe.
more »
These panda cubs playing in a Chinese nature sanctuary are lucky to have seen the light of day. Their pregnant mothers were rescued in the aftermath of last year's huge earthquake.
more »
The clock stands permanently at the time last year's huge earthquake hit the Chinese industrial town of Hanwang. The once-thriving town is now a ruin.
more »
A Spanish punter has won what could be Europe's largest lottery jackpot. The newly wealthy winner beat odds of 76 million to one.
more »
During the draw another five winners of the Danske Bankas monthly Scholarship award (a one off payment to the amount of 250 litas) were announced.
more »
In Mexico City people return to the streets as shops, restaurants and offices reopen their doors after a five day shut down to stem the deadly swine flu outbreak.
more »
The summit comes amid concern about the human cost of the recession in Europe.
more »
Opinion polls in Sweden suggest the Pirate Party could win a seat in June's European elections
more »
The European Parliament wants to make it compulsory for assisting spouses to have social security cover.
more »